swelling

1 of 2

noun

swell·​ing ˈswe-liŋ 

1

: something that is swollen

specifically : an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement

2

: the condition of being swollen

swelling

2 of 2

present participle of swell entry 1

Synonyms of swelling

Noun

• lump
• bruise
• bump
• nodule
• node

Examples of swelling in a Sentence

Noun

There was a swelling above her eye.

The swelling around her eye should subside in a few days.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Children under the age of 5 who get measles are more likely to develop serious complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling, compared with older kids. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Before-and-after satellite images show a glacier shrinking and a river swelling. — Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026

As many as 1 in every 20 children will get pneumonia, and 1 in every 1,000 children will get encephalitis, a swelling of the brain. — Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026

Meningitis is an infection and swelling of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for swelling

• belling
• celling
• dwelling
• fehling
• felling
• gelling
• pelling
• quelling
• selling
• shelling
• smelling
• spelling

Kids Definition

swelling

noun

swell·​ing

ˈswel-iŋ

1

: something that is swollen

especially : a swollen part of the body

2

: the condition of being swollen

Medical Definition

swelling

noun

swell·​ing ˈswel-iŋ- 

: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement

an inflammatory swelling